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The Impact of Two Combined Oral Contraceptives Containing Ethinyl Estradiol and Drospirenone on Whole Blood Clot Viscoelasticity and the Biophysical and Biochemical Characteristics of Erythrocytes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 December 2018

Odette Emmerson ,
Janette Bester ,
Barend G. Lindeque  and
Albe C. Swanepoel Open the ORCID record for Albe C. Swanepoel [Opens in a new window]
Odette Emmerson
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag x323, Arcadia, 0007, South Africa
Janette Bester
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag x323, Arcadia, 0007, South Africa
Barend G. Lindeque
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, P.O. Box 667, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Albe C. Swanepoel*
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag x323, Arcadia, 0007, South Africa
*
*Author for correspondence: Albe C. Swanepoel, E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Venous thrombosis is associated with combined oral contraceptive (COC) use. We investigated the impact of two ethinyl estradiol (EE) and drospirenone (DRSP) containing COCs (3 mg DRSP/20 µg EE and 3 µg DRSP/30 µg EE) on the viscoelasticity of whole blood clots along with the biophysical and biochemical characteristics of erythrocytes. Thromboelastography (TEG) analysis showed a tendency toward a hypercoagulable state in the COCs groups that was more pronounced with higher EE concentrations. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed rouleaux formation of erythrocytes and alterations to the erythrocyte shape for both COC groups, which was attributed to membrane damage. SEM analysis showed spontaneous activation of fibrin and platelets in the COC groups, along with interactions between erythrocytes and platelets and/or fibrin. Confocal microscopy confirmed compromised membrane integrity in the COC groups compared to controls. Global thrombosis test analysis showed increased platelet activation and low thrombolysis in both COC groups when compared to controls. In conclusion, DRSP/EE formulations impact erythrocytes’ biophysical and biochemical properties to cause a shift in hemostasis to a prothrombotic state. Although these effects are mostly subclinical the long-term effects and risks involved with the use of these hormones should be considered carefully for each individual.

Keywords

combined oral contraceptivesdrospirenoneethinyl estradiolerythrocytesfibrin
Type
Biological Science Applications
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 24 , Issue 6 , December 2018 , pp. 713 - 728
Copyright
© Microscopy Society of America 2018 

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Footnotes

Cite this article: Emmerson O, Bester J, Lindeque BG and Swanepoel AC (2018) The Impact of Two Combined Oral Contraceptives Containing Ethinyl Estradiol and Drospirenone on Whole Blood Clot Viscoelasticity and the Biophysical and Biochemical Characteristics of Erythrocytes. Microsc Microanal24(6), 713–728. doi: 10.1017/S1431927618015453

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